The Pirate Queen

by Emily Arnold McCully

When sailor Grania O'Malley, whose exploits on the Irish Sea pass into legend, comes up against a ruthless governor, she is forced to turn to a greater power, in an American Bookseller Pick of the Lists. Reprint.

Genres: Picture Books, Biography, Pirates, Childrens, History, Nonfiction, Ireland

32 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 17, 1995

About the author

Emily Arnold McCully received the Caldecott Medal for Mirette on the High Wire. The illustrator of more than 40 books for young readers, she divides her time between Chatham, New York, and New York City.

Reviews

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of the life of Grania O'Malley, fearless pirate queen, and conqueror of kingdoms.

A fairly well sanitized and romanticized version of the story, that never really goes into the fact that pirates stole things, and murdered people. Still, it's nice to see a woman in charge for a change.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my only regrets, as it concerns the three months I spent hiking through Ireland one summer, is that I never made it to County Mayo, and never visited Clare Island - stronghold of the Ó Máille clan, and home of Gráinne Ní Mháille (sometimes known as "Grace O'Malley"), the famed sixteenth century pirate and chieftain. A fascinating figure, who defied many of the conventions of her day governing the activities and behavior of women, Grania - as she is known here, in Emily Arnold McCully's picture-book biography - is a woman after my own heart, and I am always interested to see a new retelling of her story.

The Pirate Queen follows it heroine from her birth in 1530, the only child of Owen O'Malley, chieftain of the O'Malleys; through her tumultuous youth, in which it became clear that she was meant for a life on the sea; her battles against other pirates, whether Turkish or English; her marriages, first to Donal O'Flaherty, and then to Richard Burke; the eventual ruin of her family and fortune, at the hands of the English governor, Sir Richard Bingham; and her visit to the court of Queen Elizabeth I, to seek restitution.

Needless to say, it is an exciting story, sure to keep young readers engaged, whether their chief interest is in pirates, the history of Ireland, or the story of a strong woman. McCully knows how to tell a tale, and she also knows how to illustrate it, as witnessed by her Caldecott Medal-winner, Mirette on the High Wire . Her watercolor illustrations for The Pirate Queen, particularly the scenes at sea, are as expressive as the text, and as full of motion. Highly recommended, to all young readers with an adventurous spirit!

[Lara Lleverino · Rating 2 out of 5]

I love pirate stories but this one just didn’t grab me like I think the story could have. Interesting historical figure but embellishing it some could have made this a much more intriguing fictional biography. Since so much of the story came from legends adding to it would have been easy to do.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

We're having Pirate Week at our house, so of course I had to find a book about a girl pirate. It wasn't until the end of this book that I realized this was a true story about a 16th century pirate! It was full of big words and grown-up concepts -- nothing was sugar-coated here -- but Joey (4yo) and I really enjoyed it.

[Carol Evans · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great story of a true pirate queen. The pictures were wonderful, too. I read it with my daughter, 8, who also enjoyed it.

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

The pictures in this story are beautiful! The colors and the size of the book really make the story and scenery come alive.
I checked out a handful of books on the Irish pirate 'Grace O'Malley' so I could learn more about her. (Don't quote me on this) It seems like her life story is a bit hazy, I was thinking that may be because of the lack of primary sources (Why would the empire have records of her life and keep it other than to have basic facts). The other one I read a few weeks ago said her son was kidnapped and held for ransom or to be killed; this one said he was killed. That was one thing I noticed, there were others but that was the main one that I thought hey that is definitely not the same!
I liked reading another version and learning more about her. I think I have one more kid's story on her to learn a bit more about her. I think I have a few other books on pirates in my to read list so maybe I'll get to those and she'll be mentioned in those too!
A quick and good read.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

My Review: I was so excited to discover a lady pirate book at the library so of course had to read it of my pirate month. The illustration style is very dark and with a watercolor style that lends to the dark story. Come to find out it is actually a historical story and she did fight for her people throughout her life both on the sea and off the sea. This was an interesting story that makes you want to dive deeper into this amazing little known woman.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ooooooh epic female main character energy!! I am a fan of pirate stories and this one features a fierce Irish girl turned woman and her journey through life, motherhood, being and wife and a widow and just a really cool pirate!

[Jessi Riel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, informative, well-illustrated—with a good historical note. Everything you could ask for from a picture book biography.

[Matthew · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd never heard of this woman before this book, but how cool a life she must have lived. I feel like she's the kind of person that people today would be fascinated by if they only knew a little more about her. They ought to make a movie about a person like her. I'm sure there's an audience for it. Anyway, this, like almost everything that McCully writes, was really well presented. I loved the book.

[Emily · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked this book because it's about a strong women doing "a man's job," but I don't know that it's totally appropriate for young children. The book discusses gambling and even illustrates Grania O'Malley breast feeding her child. The story of O'Malley is very interesting, but I don't care for how this book goes about telling her story.

I wouldn't use this book unless it was totally necessary. If I had to I would use it in a classroom with older children.

[Cynthia Jensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book showed the life of Grania O'Malley and how she became a pirate.She didn't seem to be a real person because we don't see much of the un-pirate part of her. I supose if kids like to read about pirates and want to see how a woman is able to succeed as a pirate would really like this book because it is a true story. I didn't like it very much though.

[Jackie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A biography based on the life and myth of Grania(Granuaile) O'Malley of Ireland: The Pirate Queen. Much too long for storytime, but a beautifully illustrated and recounted story of a legendary figure.

Used for "Pirates: Arrggg, Mateys" Storytime-0 June, 2010.

[Jean-Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Based on both historical fact and colorful legend, this biographical picture book about Grania (Granuaile, in Old Irish, or Grace, in English) O'Malley is a great story for young feminist readers. We read this to complement our Middle Ages history lesson about the Celts.

[Faye · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great true historical story for children which doesn't talk down to them, but isn't too grown up where they wouldn't understand it. Very well written and illustrated. Good book to inspire further reading on the subject.

[Teri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice exposure to true story about the famous female pirate.

[Kasper · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good story, decent illustrations.

[Michelle]

Anything about Grainne Ni Malley is right up my alley. So will look for this book!!